AI warning: Federal officials warn of growing threat from artificial intelligence-assisted terrorist attacks

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Former Homeland Security officials and federal cybersecurity agencies are warning that artificial intelligence is increasingly being exploited by terrorists, criminals and foreign adversaries, raising concerns about potential threats to national security.

Former Homeland Security Acting Undersecretary for Intelligence and ABC News contributor John Cohen told the ABC7 I-Team that terrorist groups and criminal organizations are already using artificial intelligence to enhance their capabilities.

"Terrorist groups and criminal organizations are already using artificial intelligence to improve their ability to conduct cyber attacks, to develop detailed attack playbooks, to better understand how to construct weapons that can be used," Cohen said.

The growing use of AI presents significant national security concerns because it can accelerate the planning and execution of attacks, according to Cohen.

"Artificial intelligence has dramatically shortened the time it takes for a terrorist group to plan an attack, and it increases the likelihood that their attack plan will be successful," he said.

Cohen said the technology has raised concerns about potentially devastating and unpredictable attack scenarios.